This page is intended to give you as much help as possible. We get asked the same questions over and over again, so we’ve decided to put the most common questions here.

Simply scroll down the page or jump straight to your question by selecting from the list below:

This is one of the very first questions we get asked. It might sound strange asking a band what they do, but given a bit of thought, you'll agree that it is a reasonable question to ask.

The music business is full of ‘Acts', from small cabaret to full production shows, like musicals and pantomime.

To be more specific, and focus on music, there are Tribute bands of all shapes and sizes from The Beatles to SClub7. There are ‘Decade' Tributes of specific eras like the 60s or 70s. There are hi-tech Duos with sequencing and technical enhancements to generate that ‘big sound'. Numerous jazz bands, from Big Bands (16 plus musicians) to small combos like quartets and trios. Some Acts specialise in themes like the 1920s, 1940s, or individual artists like Glenn Miller or Frank Sinatra. There's Look A Likes, Sound A Likes which use live or recorded backing. There are Party Bands, Function Bands and bands that mix and match all of the above. In addition, they all ‘do it their own way', which means that you don't have any ‘standard' by which to asses or judge the Act. As you can see, there is good reason to ask: “What do you do?” And most people do ask!

In short, we are a function band, sometimes called a Showband (we like to refer to ourselves as a Dance Band), playing a wide selection of music to suit all ages, from Traditional Jazz to current chart hits (please see our current list of songs on our SET LIST page).

In comparison with modern trends, we are several bands in one. Today most bands focus on one style of music like Jazz, or the Tribute. However, we are able to perform a very wide selection of music.

We are LIVE. Meaning, that we play our musical instruments ‘there and then' in front of you; nothing has been, or is pre-recorded, sequenced or enhanced in anyway. Musicians playing the traditional way, as they should!

We are Reading Musicians. Meaning, we read music on stage. There are advantages and disadvantages to this:

Advantages: we can play a massive selection of music. If we have the music, we can play it. Also, if a member of the band falls ill, we can find another reading musician to take his place.

Disadvantages: we don't present a show! There's nothing really to ‘look at', unless you like looking at musicians playing. Our experience has shown, however, that you would be more interested in dancing!

Each engagement is different. Performances may vary. Every audience responds differently to live music. We can not guarantee a replica performance of a previous performance.

We provide a service. That service is Live Music. If you want to dance all night to an unobtrusive band, we are it. We won't steal your thunder! We are there for you. You pay, we play!

A few definitions:

CD MUSIC - CD music is defined to mean: a CD (compact disc) is placed in a CD player and is played via the PA system. We don't charge for that, it's standard. The CD is usually a compilation album or a pre mixed CD.

DISCO – a disco is defined to mean: 4 intelligent lighting fixtures (Martin Professional Lighting Fixtures) which are hung from two T bars placed on two Winch Stands, usually placed behind the disco area directed over the band and onto the dance floor. Plus, 15 amp power cables, with 13amp couplers attached, to suit the venues power supply. Also, we provided a Numark Mixing desk and CD controller, flight cased, & IEC power cables; plus two XLR cables for the stereo out from this unit, and £8,000.00 worth of CDs, provided for guests to make requests. Plus an operator. CDs are usually pre-mixed.

DJ or (Personality DJ) – a personality dj is defined to mean: a person who introduces tracks, mixes tracks together in a consecutive manner, makes announcements and generally ‘fronts’ a DISCO. Calfshire Productions Ltd does not supply Personality DJs at this time.

We are ideal for Weddings, Dinner Dances and Private Parties.

We need as much detail about your function as possible in order to give you a quote. Email or call us, giving details about: Type of Function, Venue/Location, Numbers of guests at the event, Number of musicians you require due to the performance space, and how long you want us to play for.

Let us know as much about the event as possible. But normally, we can play 2 x 1 hour, 3 x 45 minute, and 2 x 1.5 hour Sets. Nothing is set in stone. Let us know what you want!

We normally covers a radius of 50 miles around Cheltenham , Gloucestershire (please see our Travel Distance Guide map on the BOOKING INFO page under Travel Expenses). We can travel further, but obviously it will cost more.

We accept bookings 18 months in advance.

Please see our SET LIST page for details.

At most events, we arrive one hour before the start time specified in the contract, to set up. The start time specified in the contract may not be the start time of the event. Depending on how the event has been planned, this can mean that the band will be setting up while guests are at the venue or while they're arriving. This is especially true where the same space (stage area) is used for the event and the band's performance. Sometimes this is not an ideal situation. You may not wish to see roadies and band members bringing in equipment while your guests are eating or socialising. You may want all this setting up to be done before your guests arrive. This is where our ‘Early Get In' option comes in. At extra cost we can set up all the large bulky equipment like lighting and P.A before the event starts. With weddings this normally means setting up between the hours of 10am and 2pm on the day, unless otherwise arranged. With companies this normally means early to late afternoon.

The ‘Early Get In' option is not viable if the band's performance space is required for another purpose during the day: tables at a wedding breakfast for example. To make the ‘Early Get In' option practical, the band's performance space needs to be free all day; or at least, cleared by the time the crew and band arrive.

Before booking the ‘Early Get In', please discuss this option with your venue. Some venues do not approve of this arrangement.

Our basic set up is a 4 piece band. The 4 piece band consists of: female & male vocals, Piano/Keyboards, Drum Kit, Bass Guitar.

Adding more instruments is easy. A Saxophone, Trumpet, Trombone or Guitarist can be included.

Most wedding and corporate dinner dances book a 4 or 5 piece band. This is due partly to the space available at the venue and price. Larger bands require more equipment, more space and set up time, thus they cost more!

When considering what size band you want, space at the venue and the price are the most important issues. The next issue is the' sound' you want. If you want a Bluesy/Funky/Jazzy sound then add more Brass and Reed instruments like trumpet and saxophones. If you want a Rock or 1960s sound, add the guitar.

Yes! However, all our gigs are private functions like weddings. If you want to come and see us perform we HAVE to ask permission first before you can attend. Once we have obtained permission we will give you details. We only allow two couples to attend each function, normally after 9pm.

A deposit is payable at the time of booking by cash or cheque. The balance is payable 30 days before the event. Please read Terms & Conditions on the reverse side of the contract.

This varies according to what you hire from us. The deposit is a non refundable fee. Please ask for details.

This varies according to what you hire from us. A basic 4 piece band will take about an hour. A basic 5 piece band, with lighting and P.A will take about one and a half hours to set up, sometimes less if the ‘get in’ is easy. Please bear in mind that we have to unload vans and cars, so if we have to ‘walk miles’ to get into the building, it will take longer.

If you book our ALL DAY packages the bulk of the equipment is set up between 10.00am and 2.00pm on the day of the event, unless otherwise arranged. Arrival time on the morning of the event varies according to distance travelled, traffic conditions and start time of the event specified in the contract.

We also offer an ‘Early Get In’ option for evening functions. This means that we set up most of the large bulky equipment like lighting and PA, earlier in the day; well before guests or party goers arrive. This does cost extra!

Some venues don’t approve of our ‘Early Get In’ option, so please ask them before booking.

Again, this depends on what you hire. With jazz bands, without PA, we can play anywhere; even outside (power is required) if the whether is good. The more equipment we need the greater the limitations. Please give us details about your proposed venue. Check out our Venues page to see if we have played there before.

It’s preferable if we can play on the ground floor, with access doors near to the performance space.

If we have not played at a venue before we require information regarding Parking and the ‘Get In’ facilities.

The simple truth is ‘as much as possible’. However, not all venues are that well equipped. We need at least 4 to 6 13amp wall sockets; more would be preferable because it cuts down on the number of extension cables we’ll need to use.

In a marquee, power should be placed behind the stage area.

We are not an Entertainment Agency or Event Management company. But we do know many other Acts like bands, string quartets, harpists etc… However, our advice would be: ‘you’d get a better deal if you go direct to the Act, rather than going through an Entertainment Agency’. You will be paying commission if you do. In our modern society where communication is easy to own, any Act that is worth their salt will advertise their services. You should be able to find their telephone number or website address. I’m sure if you hunt around you can find them. You obviously found us!

No! When you book us it’s EXCLUSIVE HIRE! We don’t need to work with anyone else. We have everything we need to complete the engagement. If you were to book another band or disco they too would need to provide lighting and P.A, our insurance would not cover them ‘borrowing’ any of our equipment; you would be paying for two P.A systems and two lighting rigs. There’s no economical sense in that! Moreover, space and power would become an issue. They would need space and power, like we do. In most venues space is at a premium and the power supply is limited. Furthermore, many ‘cheap’ discos use old and ‘dodgy’ equipment, we would not be happy associating with them. Trust us, we’ve seen them!

Yes.

Yes. As a company we have public liability insurance for all members of the band. Moreover, individual members of the band are covered under the banner of the Musicians Union.

Absolutely! All of our electrical equipment is PAT tested regularly.

The most common special request is the First Dance. It's traditional for a band to play the First Dance at a wedding. Please let us know what song you require and we will be able to inform you if we are able to do it. Due to the amount of work involved in preparing each First Dance we charge for this service. Please ask for details. We need a minimum of 30 days notice.

Yes. You can choose from the list of songs on the SET LIST page.

Normally we prepare a set list. However, some people like to have an input. That's fine. Please remember that we do this all the time. We know which songs work best, and at what times. Your requests will be included in the set list we prepare, but we'll choose the order.

We have found that it is better if you choose the songs that you really DON'T want us to play. We can simply omit them from the set list.

Please note that the set list is dependant of the vocalist. Some deputy vocalists may not know every song published on this site.

Our basic 4 piece band with lighting requires about 10 feet by 8 feet. If the truth be known, it's better with more space than less. However, we have played in cellars (at the Swan Hotel in Bradford upon Avon) to Ballrooms (The Thistle Hotel, Broad Street , Bristol ), so we have to be adaptable to every venue. And we are. But bear in mind you're not going to get a nine piece band with music stands, lighting and PA in a small space. Basically, common sense should prevail. If you need more help please contact us and we'll be happy to visit the venue.

We run a deputy system, where we have at least three musicians of each instrument who we can call. To date, we have always been able to find a deputy even if we’ve had to pay over the odds to get someone. This liability we take on ourselves, we do not pass this cost on to you.

I think the best people to answer that question are those who have booked us in the past. Please read the testimonials on the TESTIMONIALS page.

Check our Availability. Email, telephone or use the online Booking Form to request Availability. We will inform you as soon as we receive notice. Then fill in the online Booking Form (if you have not done so already) marked as a Booking and we’ll do the rest. You will be sent a contract which must be signed and returned within 7 days along with a deposit cheque. It’s as simple as that!